Nitrogen-containing bidentate compound immobilized on a solid inorganic carrier

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to nitrogen-containing bidentate compound immobilized on a solid carrier having the formula ##STR1## wherein the symbols have specified meanings intermediate thereto and to processes for the preparation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a nitrogen-containing bidentate compoundimmobilized on a solid inorganic carrier, more in particular2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline or their derivatives on a solidinorganic carrier, to processes for the preparation of these immobilizedproducts and to intermediate products.

2. State of the Art

It is known that 2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline may be linkedvia certain groups to organic polymers, for example, see U.S. Pat. No.3,810,888; European patent application 45.277; Journal of the AmericanChemical Society, 97 (12), 3454 (1975); and Inorganic Chemistry, 17 (9),2345 (1978). A disadvantage of these polymers, when used inheterogeneous catalytic reactions, is that they are not generallyapplicable in the presence of organic solvents, especially polar organicsolvents.

There has now been found a group of compounds wherein 2,2'-bipyridine,1,10-phenanthroline or their derivatives are immobilized on a solidinorganic carrier, which compounds are more versatile and are applicablein the presence of organic solvents including polar organic solvents,when used in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Moreover, the bidentatecompounds bound to solid inorganic carriers have a better mechanical andthermal stability than those bound to solid organic polymers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides therefore a nitrogen-containing bidentatecompound immobilized on a solid inorganic carrier having the generalformula: ##STR2## wherein A forms part of a solid inorganic nucleus ofan oxide of silicium or of aluminium, Si is silicon, Z is an alkyl,aryl, alkoxy or aryloxy group, n is an integer 1, 2, or 3; and when n is2 or 3 the remaining Si-bonds are connected with the nucleus A; R¹ andR² independently are hydrogen, an alkyl, or cycloalkyl group of up to 7carbon atoms or a benzyl group; or both R¹ and R² together form a group--(CH₂)_(a) --wherein a is an integer of from 2 to 6; each R is hydrogenor both R's together form the group --CH═CH--; each R³ individually isan alkyl, phenyl, alkoxy, alkylthio or phenylthio group and p and q areintegers of from 0 to 2 and of from 0 to 3, respectively; the ##STR3##group is linked to a carbon atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring whichoccupies the ortho- or para-position with respect to the nitrogen atomin said heterocyclic ring; and --X-- is a bivalent organic radical.

The nitrogen-containing bidentate compounds according to the generalformula are novel compounds.

The oxides of Si and Al useful in the present invention cannot be simplyrepresented only by SiO₂ and Al₂ O₃, respectively. Instead, suchmaterials usually are hydrates, since they may contain water which isremoved at elevated temperatures, such as by calcination. The surface ofthe materials contains hydroxyl groups, which react with a siliconcompound, which has a bridge function between the inorganic nucleus andthe nitrogen containing bidentate compound. The Si-atom of the siliconcompound is bound to one oxygen atom of the inorganic nucleus. Accordingto the above general formula said Si-atom may be bound to another oxygenatom of the inorganic nucleus and also to a third oxygen atom of theinorganic nucleus. Schematically it is represented as follows: ##STR4##Z represents an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy or aryloxy group of up to 10 carbonatoms, preferably an alkyl or alkoxy group having from 1 to 6 carbonatoms. Preferably the aryl group is a phenyl group.

Any conventional bivalent organic radical can be used for formingbidentate compounds. The bivalent organic radical --X-- is preferably amember selected from the class consisting of ##STR5##

b. --(CH₂)_(m) --CH₂ --, wherein m is an integer from 0 to 9, orbranched variants thereof, ##STR6## Branched variants are isomers of thegroup ##STR7## with the same number of carbon atoms.

In the general formula R¹ preferably represents hydrogen or analkylgroup of one to six carbon atoms and R² preferably representshydrogen or an alkyl group of one to six carbon atoms. R¹ and R² may bethe same or different. More preferably R¹ is hydrogen and R² is an alkylgroup.

The right part of the general formula contains either a 2,2'-bipyridineskeleton or a 1,10-phenanthroline skeleton, depending whether the R'sare both hydrogen or both R's together form the group --CH═CH--. The2,2'-bipyridine group and the 1,10-phenanthroline group may besubstituted by the group R³ in one or both of the rings. When R³represents alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio groups the alkyl contains one tosix carbon atoms. Preferred are compounds of the general formula whereinp and q are both zero.

The nitrogen-containing bidentate compounds of the general formula maybe prepared in two different ways.

A. One process comprises reacting in a first step an oxide of siliciumor of aluminium with a compound of the formula ##STR8## wherein Q ischlorine, bromine, an alkoxy or aryloxy group, Z and n are defined as inthe general formula, X is as defined hereinbefore and Y is chlorine,bromine, or iodine to obtain a product of the formula ##STR9## wherein Ais defined as in the general formula and Z, n, X and Y are as definedhereinbefore, which latter product is reacted in a second step with ametallated compound of the formula ##STR10## wherein R¹, R² R³, R, p andq are as defined in the general formula, and M is a metal.

B. The second process comprises reacting in a first step a compound ofthe formula ##STR11## wherein Q is an alkoxy or aryloxy group, Z and nare defined as in the general formula, X is as defined hereinbefore andY is chlorine, bromine or iodine, with a metallated compound of theformula ##STR12## wherein R¹, R², R³, R, p and q are as defined in thegeneral formula, and M is a metal, to an intermediate product of theformula ##STR13## which latter intermediate product in a second step isreacted with an oxide of silicium or aluminium.

Specifically the process comprises reacting in the first step an oxideof silicium or of aluminium with a silicon containing organic compoundof the group consisting of

a. ##STR14## wherein Y is Cl or Br and R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 4carbon atoms,

b. ##STR15## wherein Hal is Cl or Br and Y is Cl or Br, c. (R⁴ O)₃Si--(CH₂)_(m) --CH₂ Y, wherein Y is Cl or Br, R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1to 4 carbon atoms and m is a integer of from 0 to 9 or branched variantsthereof,

d. (Hal)₃ Si--(CH₂)_(m) --CH₂ Y, wherein Y is Cl or Br, Hal is Cl or Br,and m is an integer of from 0 to 9 or branched variants thereof,

e. ##STR16## wherein Hal is Cl or Br and Y is Cl or Br, f. ##STR17##wherein Y is Cl or Br and R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,and

g. ##STR18## wherein R⁴ and R⁶ are alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,and then reacting in a second step with the metallated compound, asdefined hereinbefore.

The process further comprises reacting in a first step an oxide ofsilicium or of aluminium with a silicon containing organic compound ofthe formula ##STR19## wherein R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbonatoms and further reacting in a second step the obtained product with ametallated compound as defined hereinbefore and protonating the reactionproduct of the second step.

Another process comprises reacting in a first step an oxide of siliciumor of aluminium with a silicon containing organic compound of the groupconsisting of

a. ##STR20## wherein R⁶ is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, b.##STR21## wherein Y is Cl or Br, m is an integer from 0 to 9 and R⁵ isC₁₋₄ -alkyl or phenyl, and branched variants thereof, and

c. ##STR22## wherein Y is Cl or Br, m is an integer of from 0 to 9, R⁴is C₁₋₄ -alkyl and R⁵ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl or phenyl, and branched variantsthereof, and then reacting in a second step with the metallatedcompound.

Another process further comprises reacting in a first step an oxide ofsilicium or of aluminium with a silicon containing organic compound ofthe formula ##STR23## wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl and R⁵ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl orphenyl and further reacting in a second step the obtained product with ametallated compound as defined hereinbefore and protonating the reactionproduct of the second step.

Moreover the process comprises reacting in a first step an oxide ofsilicium or of aluminium with a silicon containing organic compound ofthe formula ##STR24## wherein Y is Cl or Br, m is an integer of from 0to 9, each R⁵ is a C₁₋₄ -alkyl or a phenyl group and R⁴ is a C₁₋₄ -alkylgroup, or branched variants thereof, and further reacting in a secondstep the obtained product with the metallated compound.

Also the process comprises reacting in a first step an oxide of siliciumor of aluminium with a silicon containing organic compound of theformula ##STR25## wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl an each R⁵ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl orphenyl, and further reacting in a second step the obtained product witha metallated compound as defined hereinbefore, and protonating thereaction product of the second step.

Specifically the process comprises reacting in a first step a siliconcontaining organic compound of the group consisting of

a. ##STR26## wherein Y is Cl or Br and R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 4carbon atoms,

b. (R⁴ O)₃ Si--(CH₂)_(m) --CH₂ Y, wherein Y is Cl or Br, R⁴ is an alkylgroup of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m is an integer of from 0 to 9 orbranched variants thereof,

c. ##STR27## wherein Y is Cl or Br and R⁴ is an alkyl group of 1 to 4carbon atoms, and

d. ##STR28## wherein R⁴ and R⁶ are alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,with the metallted compound as defined hereinbefore and reacting in asecond step the obtained reaction product with an oxide of silicium orof aluminium.

The process further comprises reacting in a first step a siliconcontaining organic compound of the formula ##STR29## wherein R⁴ is analkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with a metallated compound asdefined hereinbefore, and protonating the reaction product, and reactingin a second step the obtained reaction product with an oxide of siliciumor of aluminium.

Another process comprises reacting in a first step a silicon containingorganic compound of the formula ##STR30## wherein Y is Cl or Br, m is aninteger of from 0 to 9, R⁴ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl and R⁵ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl orphenyl, or branched variants thereof, with the metallated compound asdefined hereinbefore and reacting in a second step the obtained reactionproduct with an oxide of silicium or of aluminium.

Another process further comprises reacting in a first step a siliconcontaining organic compound of the formula ##STR31## wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₄-alkyl and R⁵ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl or phenyl with a metallated compound asdefined hereinbefore and protonating the reaction product, and reactingin a second step the obtained reaction product with an oxide of siliciumor of aluminium.

Moreover, the process comprises reacting in a first step a siliconcontaining organic compound of the formula ##STR32## wherein Y is Cl orBr, m is an integer of from 0 to 9, each R⁵ is a C₁₋₄ -alkyl or a phenylgroup and R⁴ is Chd 1-4-alkyl group or branched variants thereof withthe metallated compound as defined hereinbefore and reacting in a secondstep the obtained reaction product with an oxide of silicium or ofaluminium.

Also the process comprises reacting in a first step a silicon containingorganic compound of the formula ##STR33## wherein R⁴ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl andeach R⁵ is C₁₋₄ -alkyl or phenyl, with a metallated compound as definedhereinbefore, and protonating the reaction product, and reacting in asecond step the obtained reaction product with an oxide of silicium orof aluminium.

The metallated compound as defined hereinbefore preferably contains analkali metal, more preferably lithium.

The lithiated compound has the formula ##STR34## wherein R¹, R², R³, R,p and q are as defined in the general formula and the group ##STR35## islinked to a carbon atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring which occupiesthe ortho- or para-position with respect to the nitrogn atom in saidheterocyclic ring.

Preferred compounds, to be used in the metallation of the2,2'-bipyridine(derivative) or the 1,10-phenanthroline(derivative), arealkali metal amides. An especially preferred metallating compound islithiumdiisopropylamide. The metallating compound is generally employedin a molar ratio of organometallic compound to 2,2'-bipyridine or1,10-phenanthroline of about 1 to 1 at a temperature in the range offrom -120° C. to 100° C., preferably from -80° C. to 30° C. The reactionis generally carried out in the presence of an inert solvent, such asdiethylether or tetrahydrofuran.

The same temperatures apply when the lithiated 2,2'-bipyridinederivative and the lithiated 1,10-phenanthroline derivative, obtainedwith the aid of the lithiumdialkylamide, are reacted with the siliconcontaining organic compounds, exemplified under the embodiments of theprocess under B (in the first step). The obtained products arehereinafter called "intermediate products".

Temperatures from 20° C. to 120° C. may be applied when the intermediateproducts react with the silicium oxide or aluminium oxide nucleus.

Temperatures from 20° C. to 120° C. may also be applied when thesilicium oxide or aluminium oxide nucleus reacts with the siliconcontaining organic compound, exemplified under the embodiments of theprocess under A (in the first step).

The invention further relates to an intermediate product of the formula##STR36## wherein Si is silicon, Q is an alkoxy or aryloxy group of upto 10 carbon atoms; Z is an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy or aryloxy group of upto 10 carbon atoms; n is an integer 1, 2 or 3; R¹ and R² independentlyare hydrogen, an alkyl or cycloalkyl group of up to 7 carbon atoms or abenzyl group; or both R¹ and R² together form a group --(CH₂)_(a)--wherein a is an integer of from 2 to 6; each R is hydrogen or both R'stogether form the group --CH═CH--; each R³ individually is an alkyl of 1to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenoxy,alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenylthio group and p and q areintegers of from 0 to 2 and from 0 to 3 respectively; the ##STR37##group is linked to a carbon atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring whichoccupies the ortho- or para-position with respect to the nitrogen atomin said heterocyclic ring; and X is a bivalent organic radical. In thisformula the integers p and q are preferably zero, and both R's togetherpreferably form the group --CH═CH--. Preferably R¹ is hydrogen and R² analkyl group of one to six carbon atoms.

The bivalent organic radical --X-- is preferably selected from the groupconsisting of ##STR38## b. --(CH₂)_(m) --CH₂ --, wherein m is from 0 to9, or branched variants thereof, ##STR39##

The nitrogen-containing bidentate compounds immobilized on the solidoxide carrier of Si or Al according to the invention will form complexeswith the same metal or metal compounds, with which the solenitrogen-containing bidentates (2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline)will form complexes.

The nitrogen-containing bidentate compounds immobilized on the solidoxide carrier of Si or Al according to the invention may beadvantgeously used in many applications, such as extraction andseparation processes for metals and for metal compounds or inpurification processes. They may be conveniently used in the form oftheir corresponding complexes with a metal or a metal compound, as acatalyst or catalyst precursor for reactions such as hydrogenation,dehydrogenation, isomerization, hydroformylation, carbonylation and thelike.

EXAMPLE 1 2-[(1-Triethoxysilyl)-5-octyl]-1,10-phenanthroline

In a Slenck tube reactor equipped with a magnetic stirrer and in aninert atmosphere (argon) 620 μl 1.5N (1.0 mmol) n-butyllithium solutionin n-hexane was added dropwise with the aid of a syringe to a solutionof 150 μl di-isopropylamine in 700 μl anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at 0° C.The resulting mixture containing lithium di-isopropylamide was stirredfor 15 minutes at 0° C. To this mixture 209.5 mg (0.89 mmol)2-n-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (prepared according to T. Kauffmann, J.Konig and A. Woltermann, Chem. Ber. 109, 3864 (1976)) dissolved in 3 mlanhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added in 5 minutes. The mixture wasstirred at 0° C. for 2.75 hours, whereupon 300.5 mg (1.0 mmol)4-bromobutyl triethoxysilane (prepared from 4-bromo-1-butene accordingto M. Czakova and M. Capka, J. Mol. Catal., 11, 313 (1981) and A.Kinting, H. Krause and M. Capka, J. Mol. Catal., 33, 215 (1985))dissolved in 0.5 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added. The reactorcontents were stirred at 0° C. for 17 hours. After this period of timethe reactor contents were transferred into a separatory funnel andraidly equilibrated with 30 ml water and 100 ml diethyl ether. Theorganic layer was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate,and concentrated at 60° C. at reduced pressure (about 20 kPa) using arotary evaporator. A mixture was obtained of2-n-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4-bromobutyl triethoxysilane, and2-[(1-triethoxysilyl)-5-octyl]-1,10-phenanthroline in a ratio of 1:1:1.

EXAMPLE 2A Mixture of4-{1-methyl-2-(3-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phenyl)-ethyl}-1,10-phenanthrolineand4-{1-methyl-2-(4-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phenyl)-ethyl}-1,10-phenanthroline

In a Slenck tube reactor equipped with a magnetic stirrer and in aninert atmosphere (argon) 630 μl 1.5N (1.0 mmol) n-butyllithium solutionin n-hexane was added dropwise with the aid of a syringe to a solutionof 150 μl diisopropylamine in 700 μl anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at 0° C.The resulting mixture containing lithium di-isopropylamide was stirredfor 15 minutes at 0° C. To this mixture 198.8 mg (0.96 mmol)4-ethyl-1,10-phenanthroline dissolved in 5.5 ml anhydroustetrahydrofuran was added during 5 minutes. The mixture was stirred at0° C. for 1.5 hours, whereupon 290.0 mg (1.04 mmol) of a mixture of1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(4-chloromethyl phenyl)ethane and1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(3-chloromethyl phenyl)ethane was added with the aidof a syringe. The reactor contents were stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutesand, subsequently, at ambient temperature (18°-22° C.) for 48 hours. Theresulting mixture was added dropwise with the aid of a syringe to 130 mlmagnetically stirred n-pentane.

The precipitate was isolated by centrifugation and decantantation, andwashed with 130 ml n-pentane, and, subsequently, dissolved in 90 mldichloromethane. The solution was washed rapidly with 50 ml water, driedover anhydrous magnesium sulphate, and concentrated at 60° C. at reducedpressure (ca. 20 kPa) using a rotary evaporator. Residual solvent wasremoved by a stream of dry nitrogen. Yield: 276.2 mg (0.61 mmol, 64%)yellowbrown oil.

EXAMPLE 2B Reaction of the mixture of4-{1-methyl-2-(3-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phenyl)-ethyl}-1,10-phenanthrolineand4-{1-methyl-2-(4-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phenyl)-ethyl}-1,10-phenanthrolinewith silica

In an inert atmosphere 205.5 mg activated silica spheres (1-2 mm; porevolume: 0.93 ml/g; pore diameter: 15 nm; ca. 1.9 mmol silanol groups pergram silica; activated at 150° C. over P₂ O₅ for 24 hours at less than 1Pa using a dynamic vacuum) were added to a solution of 247.5 mg (0.55mmol) of the mixture of4-{1-methyl-2-(3-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phenyl)-ethyl}-1,10-phenanthrolineand4-{1-methyl-2-(4-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phenyl)-ethyl}-1,10-phenanthrolinein 10 ml dry toluene. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 48 hoursunder argon with slow magnetic stirring. After that period of time 5 mltoluene was distilled off. The residual mixture was cooled to ambienttemperature and the functionalized silica spheres were filtered off,purified by sohxlet extraction under argon with dry toluene for 24hours, and dried over P₂ O₅ at reduced pressure (ca. 1 Pa) using adynamic vacuum for 24 hours. Yield: 247.0 mg. Elemental analysis showeda loading of the 1,10-phenanthroline derivative on silica of 0.49 mmol/gunmodified silica.

EXAMPLE 3A Preparation of silica modified by reaction with 4-bromobutyltriethoxysilane

To an unstirred suspension of 4.97 g activated silica spheres (1-2 mm;pore volume: 0.93 ml/g; pore diameter: 16 nm; ca. 1.9 mmol silanolgroups per gram silica; activated at 150° C. over P₂ O₅ for 24 hours atless than 1 Pa using a dynamic vacuum) in 25.0 ml dry toluene 5.10 g4-bromobutyl triethoxysilane (prepared from 4-bromo-1-butene accordingto M. Czakova and M. Capka, J. Mol. Catal., 11, 313 (1981), and A.Kinting, H. Krause, and M. Capka, J. Mol. Catal., 33, 215 (1985)) wasadded under an inert atmosphere (argon). The resulting mixture wasrefluxed under argon for 21 hours. After that period of time thereaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, and the product wasfiltered off and washed with dry toluene. Subsequently, 50 ml drytoluene was added to the product under argon, and 10 ml toluene wasdistilled off. Subsequently, the residual suspension was cooled toambient temperature, whereupon the product was filtered off, washed withdry toluene, purified by sohxlet extraction with dry toluene for 20hours under argon, and dried over P₂ O₅ at reduced pressure (ca. 5 Pa)using a dynamic vacuum for 24 hours. Yield: 5.44 g. Elemental analysisshowed a loading of 1-bromobutyl groups on silica of 0.27 mmol/gunmodified silica.

EXAMPLE 3B Immobilization of 2-n-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline onto silicamodified by reaction with 4-bromobutyl triethoxysilane

In a Slenck tube reactor equipped with a magnetic stirrer and in aninert atmosphere (argon) 670 μl 1.5N (1.0 mmol) n-butyllithium solutionin n-hexane was added dropwise with the aid of a syringe to a solutionof 150 μl diisopropylamine in 700 μl anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at 0° C.The resulting mixture containing lithium di-isopropylamide was stirredfor 20 minutes at 0° C., whereupon 202.5 mg (0.86 mmol)2-n-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (prepared according to T. Kauffmann, J.Konig, and A. Woltermann, Chem. Ber., 109, 3864 (1976)) dissolved in 2.0ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added in 5 minutes. The mixture wasstirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours, and after that period of time 485.0 mgsilica spheres, modified by reaction with 4-bromobutyl triethoxysilanewere added. The reactor contents were then stirred slowly at ambienttemperature for 3 hours, subsequently at 50° C. for 1 hour, and, afterthat, at ambient temperature for 90 hours, after which period of time 50μl ethanol was added. The product was filtered off, washed extensivelywith anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, purified by sohxlet extraction withanhydrous tetrahydrofuran under argon for 24 hours, and dried over P₂ O₅at reduced pressure (ca. 5 Pa) for 24 hours using a dynamic vacuum.Yield: 478.4 mg. Elemental analysis showed a loading of1,10-phenanthroline derivative on silica of 0.29 mmol/g unmodifiedsilica, implying complete reaction of the originally present1-bromobutyl groups.

EXAMPLE 4A Preparation of silica modified by reaction with a mixture of1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(4-chloromethylphenyl)-ethane and1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(3-chloromethylphenyl)-ethane

Modification of 5.02 g activated silica with 4.77 g of a mixture of1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(4-chloromethylphenyl)-ethane and1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(3-chloromethylphenyl)-ethane was carried outexactly analogous to the preparation of silica modified with4-bromobutyl triethoxysilane. Yield: 6.01 g. Elemental analysis showed aloading of (4-) and (3-chloromethylphenyl)ethyl groups on silica of 0.28mmol/g unmodified silica.

EXAMPLE 4B Immobilization of 4-ethyl-1,10-phenanthroline onto silicamodified by reaction with a mixture of1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(4-chloromethylphenyl)-ethane and1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(3-chloromethylphenyl)-ethane

In a Slenck tube reactor equipped with a magnetic stirrer and in aninert atmosphere (argon) 670 μl 1.5N (1.0 mmol) n-butyllithium solutionin n-hexane was added dropwise with the aid of a syringe to a solutionof 150 μl diisopropylamine in 700 μl anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at 0° C.The resulting mixture containing lithium di-isopropylamide was stirredfor 20 minutes at 0° C., whereupon 201.3 mg (0.97 mmol)4-ethyl-1,10-phenanthroline dissolved in 5.0 ml anhydroustetrahydrofuran was added in 5 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 0° C.for 1.25 hours, and after that period of time 512.1 mg silica spheres,modified by reaction with a mixture of1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(4-chloromethyl-phenyl)ethane and1-trimethoxysilyl-2-(3-chloromethyl-phenyl)ethane, were added. Thereactor contents were then heated under argon at 50° C. for 18 hourswith slow magnetic stirring, after which period of time 40 μl methanolwas added. The mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperature andthe product was filtered off, washed extensively with anhydroustetrahydrofuran, purified by sohxlet extraction with anhydroustetrahydrofuran under argon for 24 hours, and dried over P₂ O₅ atreduced pressure (ca. 5 Pa) for 24 hours using a dynamic vacuum. Yield:489.2 mg. Elemental analysis showed a loading of 1,10-phenanthrolinederivative on silica of 0.24 mmol/g unmodified silica, implying 86%reaction of the originally present chloromethyl groups.

What is claimed is:
 1. A catalyst composition comprisingnitrogen-containing bidentate compound immobilized on a solid inorganiccarrier having the formula ##STR40## wherein A forms part of a solidinorganic nucleus of an oxide of silicium or of aluminium, Si issilicon, Z is an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy or aryloxy group of up to 10 carbonatoms; n is an integer 1, 2, or 3; and when n is 2 or 3 the remainingSi-bonds are connected with the nucleus A; R¹ and R² independently arehydrogen, an alkyl or cycloalkyl group of up to 7 carbon atoms or abenzyl group; or both R¹ and R² together form a group --(CH₂)_(a) --wherein a is an integer of from 2 to 6; each R is hydrogen or both R'stogether form the group --CH═CH--; each R³ individually is an alky lof 1to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenoxy,alkylthio of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or phenylthio group and p and q areintegers of from 0 to 2 and of from 0 to 3, respectively; the ##STR41##group is linked to a carbon atom of the heterocyclic aromatic ring whichoccupies the ortho- or para-position with respect to the nitrogen atomin said heterocyclic ring; and --X-- is a bivalent organic radical.
 2. Acatalyst composition comprising nitrogen-containing bidentate compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein the bivalent organic radical --X-- is amember selected from the class consisting of ##STR42## b. --(CH₂)_(m)--CH₂ --, wherein m is an integer from 0 to 9, or branched variantsthereof, ##STR43##
 3. A catalyst composition comprisingnitrogen-containing bidentate compound according to claim 1 or 2,wherein in the formula the integers p and q are zero.
 4. A catalystcomposition comprising nitrogen-containing bidentate compound accordingto any one of the claims 1-3, wherein in the formula R¹ is hydrogen andR² is an alkyl group of one to six carbon atoms.
 5. A catalystcomposition comprising nitrogen-containing bidentate compound accordingto any one of the claims 1-4, wherein in the formula both R's representthe group --CH═CH--.
 6. A catalyst composition comprising nitrogencontaining compound according to claim 3 wherein each Z is methoxy orethoxy.